Of the engines used in the RAV4, I must again reiterate that none have really been super problematic.  The one thing that I’ve heard reports of from a few customers is reports of headbolts breaking on 2AZ-FE engines without the headgasket blowing. I’ve not seen their original engines myself, so I can’t verify this, but having spoken with their mechanics I do believe it to be true. I do know one thing:  those customers were glad they bought a used RAV4 engine from us, since the dealerships charge over$10,000 for a new RAV4 engine! We’ve saved customers well over $7,500 on every RAV4 engine we’ve sold, compared to dealer cost, and given them a comparable warranty to boot.

As always, if you need a used engine, please feel free to call us at 901-266-9996 or fill out an online request for a free quote.

Traditionally powered, all gas non-hyrbids have sold well for the Vue in every year. We’ve sold a number of 3.0L Vue engines (option L81) over the years nad had excellent luck with them. Incidentally, some mechanics have reported having luck interchanging Saturn Vue and Cadillac Catera engines. At this time, we’re uncertain as to whether this is a direct application, but we are investigating.

The 2.2L L61 is another common selling Saturn engine. with applications between 2000 and 2004 (and later years in other GM vehicles). On this particular engine we recommend you stick with a Saturn as there is quite a bit of work “swapping” to make the engine fit if you purchase from say a Cavalier or Ponatiac Sunfire. Yes, engines from those applications will work in a Saturn L Series, but again, doing all the swaps, while not incredibly time consuming, can be confusing for this particular application.

The J35A3 is probably the best engine that has been installed in the Vue. This is a Honda engine that has been used in multiple vehicles in various combinations. Block differences prevent it from being used from different applications, but you might find a list of vehicles the J35 has been used in interesting. The J35A1 has been used in the 1999, 2000, and 2001 Honda Odyssey; the J35A4 was used in the 2002, 2003, and 2004 Honda Odysseys, as well as the 2003 and 2004 Honda Pilots. Further, the 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 Honda Odysseys use the J35A6 (as well as the 2005 Honda Pilot).  The J35A3 was used in the 2001 and 2002 Acura MDX. In other words, Honda uses this engine a lot. It’s a very reliable, mature design that isn’t prone to fail. We don’t see much demand for these engines in Saturn OR Honda applications.

The 2.4L BAS Hybrid engines are too new to have seen much demand. These engines are also called “Green Line” engines. They are considered environmentally friendly due to the fact that they cut off when the vehicle is not in motion. When the vehicle moves, there is a start assist belt from the transmission that quickly helps start the Vue. There is very little drive assist (though technically there is some).

As always, if you need an engine please call us at 901-266-9996 or fill out an engine request form. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have!

There are great, great engines out there today. You still need to keep clean oil and a clean oil filter in all of them. I personally use 0w30 Amsoil in my 1997 Honda CRV with their best Amsoil spin on oil filter and they recommend once a year oil change or 35,000 miles, which ever comes first. The engine is a 2.0L and has 180,000 miles, runs like a top, and has 170 lbs compression on each cylinder! One also gets 5-8% better gas mileage by using 100% synthetic oil, which is another savings, besides not changing the oil many more times per year like most folks do. I also have a 1994 Toyota Camry and a 1996 Toyota Camry and we use Amsoil in all of them and they all run like new! If I become a millionaire one day and buy a Mercedes Benz or a really nice BMW I will still use Amsoil in them also and never will I be addicted to the 3 month or 3,000 mile oil changes again.

Please note though that I take my Toyota Camry (both of them) and my Honda CRV to my mechanic twice a year for a a full inspection.  So if you are not taking your car to a mechanic shop to change your oil every 3,000 miles you should not forget to get your car checked out by a good, honest mechanic twice a year if you are driving a Chevy Cavalier, BMW, Mercedes or whatever you drive. Good maintenance is key to long life, but I said “bye-bye” to 3,000 mile or 3 month oil changes a long time ago and I have Amsoil to thank for that. Here is a great web site to learn about Amsoil.